Short-term pain paves way to long-term gains for city

We can already hear the assorted moans, groans, gripes and snipes among irritable motorists attempting to wend their way along one of the city’s leading gateways – Wick Avenue.

To be sure, inconvenience will rule the year as work begins on a $4 million-plus makeover of the major historic artery. That work will necessitate lane closures, complete street shutdowns and multiple detours before one of the largest and most significant road- improvement projects in city history is completed next summer.

Those nuisances, however, amount to a classic case of short-term pain, long-term gain. The Wick Avenue project, coupled with a complementary $2 million makeover of Lincoln Avenue that has just begun, represents a concrete investment into the future of Youngstown. Indeed there is much to appreciate in the foresight, creativity and partnerships that went into the planning and funding of these major infrastructure improvements.

Historically, Wick Avenue developed into the city’s most opulent neighborhood in the late 19th century when industrial and financial leaders built magnificent mansions and lush estates. Over the years, many of them reinvented themselves into ornate churches, imposing museums and educational edifices associated with what today is Youngstown State University. Today, it is the welcome mat to the heart of YSU as well as such institutions as the world renowned Butler Institute of American Art, the Arms Family Museum of Mahoning Valley History, the sprawling home base of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and other important cultural gems.

The work, when completed, will transform the shabby surface and nondescript design of the avenue into a pleasing backdrop for those institutions and a positive entranceway into the central business district of Youngstown. The 21st century face-lift will preserve and enhance its historic reputation of charm and grandeur.

BEYOND AESTHETICS

Of course, the mammoth project isn’t all about aesthetics. When complete, the newly manicured roadway will offer safer passage for motorists and pedestrians alike and will complete one piece of the city’s dauntingly large puzzle to update and cleanse its antiquated water and sewer network.

As many will benefit from the revitalized boulevard, we’re pleased, too, over the diverse set of partnerships that have been forged to complete it with minimal impact on local tax dollars. City government leaders using outside grants and YSU planners have worked jointly in planning and funding the improvements. Private groups, such as Youngstown CityScape and the John S. and Doris M. Andrews Trust Fund have contributed generously to its financing as well.

Similar partnerships also have made possible a critical road-improvements project in the same construction zone, namely a $1.4 million streetscape face-lift for Lincoln Avenue, the major east-west traffic artery dissecting the YSU campus. With the vast majority of its cost coming from federal grants, it, too, will not greatly strain the city’s shrinking pot of financial resources.

That project between Wick Avenue and Hazel Street includes paving, sewer improvements, marked crosswalks, new sidewalk curbs and small pedestrian islands at intersections.

Complementing both road improvement projects is another major revitalization initiative on Wick Avenue. The $360,000 project approved this summer calls for the demolition of six dilapidated, unsafe structures on Wick Avenue at the former sites of State Chevrolet and Barrett Cadillac. The work will remove the last vestiges of the city’s once-bustling Wick Six row of new-car dealerships.

Collectively, these and other projects represent a major portion of some $13 million in road and infrastructure improvements in Youngstown this year. They once again demonstrate the power and value of aggressively exploring creative means to execute visible enhancements to the safety, health and appearance of the city.

And even though the Wick and Lincoln projects will require more time, better planning and concerted patience among tens of thousands of motorists over the next year, the temporary annoyances will be well worth the permanent enrichment to the commerce and character of Youngstown.